Outstanding restaurant in Incheon for traditional Korean beef
Wupan Sirloin of Dongchun-dong, Yeonsu-gu
(formerly Daedo Restaurant)
Writer Lee Hyeon-ju
Photographer Jang Hyeon-seon
Wupan Sirloin serves only one thing: Korean beef sirloin. To find the most delicious sirloin, Wupan Vice President Moon Go-cheol has traveled the entire country, from a restaurant in Taebaek famous for Korean beef to Hwasun in Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province).
Finally, Wupan chose five fresh meat providers from around the nation to serve the most delicious sirloin. The beef served by the restaurant is pure sirloin without no chuck parts or stiploin. In addition, only Korean beef above Grade 1 is used to keep Wupan’s promise to its customers to serve the best meat.
An irresistible temptation begins as the sirloin is put on a hot castiron plate spread with beef tallow. The word “Wupan” from the restaurant’s name refers to the castiron plate used to grill beef. One reason the meat at this restaurant is so delicious is because of the castiron plate, which maintains a temperature of 270℃, which is known as the best temperature for grilling beef. Weighing 2.5kg and being 50mm thick, the plate is made via the Anseong casting method, an intangible cultural asset of Gyeonggi-do (Gyeonggi Province). The ideal temperature of 270℃ holds the gravy of sirloin.
The secret to grilling delicious sirloin is to flip it just once when one side is well grilled at high temperature. When the brownish color outside harmonizes with the reddish color inside, the meat is ready to eat and best enjoyed with sliced and salted green onions to experience a whole new world in sirloin.
The tender meat melts in your mouth while the bursting gravy fills it up. When the light taste of gravy turns sweet to spread inside your mouth, you will realize that meat has a sweet taste.
In contrast to other meat restaurants, Wupan Sirloin serves few side dishes, just kkakdugi, salted green onions, cabbage, doenjang and gochujang (red pepper paste). Yet the fewer number of side dishes fully brings out the original flavor of meat. Even the salt for the meat is pure bay salt from Sinuido Island, which takes about two hours by boat from Sinan. Onions are directly sent from Hamyang. The garlic used is also indigenous to Korea, and sliced just once. After enjoying the meat, the fried rice made with thin slices of kkakdugi and kimchi sauce freshens the mouth by removing the oiliness of the meat. A scoop of fried rice with icy watery kimchi is the perfect combo. It’s even fun to scrape out the crispy fried rice from Wupan, the castiron plate. Doenjang porridge, which is made with doenjang soup, is another favorite of the restaurant, especially loved by children and foreigners not used to spicy foods.
"At our restaurant, everyone from children to the elderly can have a enjoyable time. We’ll do our best to satisfy all of our customers." Vice President Moon said, adding that Wupan prepares food as they were restored.
Wupan Sirloin is a large restaurant with a seating capacity of about 400 and 40 employees. It has grown for eight years as it treats customers like kings with the country’s best beef and unchanging commitment to quality.
Wupan Sirloin
61, Cheongnyang-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
(803-5, Dongchun-dong, Yeonsu-gu) ☎ 816-7788
Korean Ripened Sirloin 150g 27,500 KRW
Wupan Fried Rice 3,500 KRW
Hanwoo Doenjang Soup 3,500 KRW
Wupan Radish Kimchi Noodle 3,500 KRW
Operating hours : 10 a.m.~10 p.m.
